THUNDERBOLT — Bradwell Institute’s post-season aspirations took a big dent Friday, losing 9-5 at Johnson.
Johnson’s Justin Bryson pitched a complete game for the win, striking out 14 batters and allowing three hits.
Johnson and Bradwell are tied for Region 3-AAAAA’s fourth and final playoff spot at 4-5.
Despite the loss, the Tigers played with heart.
“I think the kids played really well today,” BI coach Rhett Hellgren said. “The guys we had there today, played hard and wanted to win. I’m excited for that. I’m not real upset with the loss because I had kids out there who wanted to win. They have heart and I am very happy with their effort.”
The Atomsmashers took advantage of several Tiger miscues, including four errors, several wild pitches and walks.
Bradwell’s starting pitcher Nick Franks continued to struggle finding the strike zone. He walked the leadoff batter and two Atomsmasher hits staked Johnson to a 2-0 first inning lead.
Franks settled down and struck out the side in the second inning.
The control problems reappeared in the third inning and the defense had a difficult time as the Atomsmashers added two more runs, despite having no hits.
Johnson delivered the big blow in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on two hits and two errors.
Steven Dill came in to relieve Franks and retired the last six Johnson batters.
Bradwell struggled putting the ball in play, only collecting three hits — all in the fifth inning. However, the Tigers put men on base by walks, hit batsmen and two Johnson errors.
Bradwell scored four runs in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Franks singled to left field driving in two runs and a third run scored off the left fielder’s error. Dill then ripped a single up the middle, scoring a run.
DeAnte Day, who walked three times, scored in the seventh inning after the right fielder missed Frank’s pop-fly.
Daniel Materne went 1-for-2 with two walks and Franks finished 2-for-4.
Saturday, the Tigers lost 14-2 to Benedictine.
Bradwell travels to Savannah on Tuesday to play Windsor Forest at 5:30 p.m in a region contest. The Tigers beat the Knights 15-0 in Hinesville on March 20.
Johnson’s Justin Bryson pitched a complete game for the win, striking out 14 batters and allowing three hits.
Johnson and Bradwell are tied for Region 3-AAAAA’s fourth and final playoff spot at 4-5.
Despite the loss, the Tigers played with heart.
“I think the kids played really well today,” BI coach Rhett Hellgren said. “The guys we had there today, played hard and wanted to win. I’m excited for that. I’m not real upset with the loss because I had kids out there who wanted to win. They have heart and I am very happy with their effort.”
The Atomsmashers took advantage of several Tiger miscues, including four errors, several wild pitches and walks.
Bradwell’s starting pitcher Nick Franks continued to struggle finding the strike zone. He walked the leadoff batter and two Atomsmasher hits staked Johnson to a 2-0 first inning lead.
Franks settled down and struck out the side in the second inning.
The control problems reappeared in the third inning and the defense had a difficult time as the Atomsmashers added two more runs, despite having no hits.
Johnson delivered the big blow in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on two hits and two errors.
Steven Dill came in to relieve Franks and retired the last six Johnson batters.
Bradwell struggled putting the ball in play, only collecting three hits — all in the fifth inning. However, the Tigers put men on base by walks, hit batsmen and two Johnson errors.
Bradwell scored four runs in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Franks singled to left field driving in two runs and a third run scored off the left fielder’s error. Dill then ripped a single up the middle, scoring a run.
DeAnte Day, who walked three times, scored in the seventh inning after the right fielder missed Frank’s pop-fly.
Daniel Materne went 1-for-2 with two walks and Franks finished 2-for-4.
Saturday, the Tigers lost 14-2 to Benedictine.
Bradwell travels to Savannah on Tuesday to play Windsor Forest at 5:30 p.m in a region contest. The Tigers beat the Knights 15-0 in Hinesville on March 20.